iloveGESUS

Does anyone know what I should put for "Class of Admission" on the application? Thanks!

None? US Asylee? Thai national non-recognized citizen? Something like that. They'll figure it out.

There's nothing of that nature. However, there is an "Unknown" option. Maybe I'll select that option and attach a letter explaining his situation?

A Refugee should not travel to their home country at all, because they testified that they cannot be in their country or they will be killed. That is why they are refugees. If they go back to their home country, then it can be used as proof that their refugee claim was fraudulent.

Very interesting. I didn't know that. Can he go once he's a citizen if he wants to? I'm just curious because my father also came here as a refugee but he has since then became a citizen and has been back to visit his birth country.

Anyway, another question: how long does it take to get the RTD? According to the USCIS website, processing time is 3 months.

Thanks in advance!

He can apply for a Re-Entry permit which is Valid for 2 years,,,,,If you like a cheaper one than it is Refugee travel documents which is valid only for 1 yr. FYI....His home country may not let him in just with refugee travel documents but he can travel there with a Re-Entry Permit....

Thank you! I think he will be okay with just the RTD. He's planning to apply for citizenship next year and he also has no plans of traveling to his birth country anytime soon. This will be his first time leaving the U.S. since coming here as a child and he's just visiting the Caribbean.

That was so informational and helpful! Thank you so much!

His family's green cards were expiring in 2011 and they weren't aware of it. When they realized the cards were expiring, they wanted to apply for citizenship but had less than the required 6 months on the card. Since they had to renew the GC regardless, they decided to just hold off on applying for citizenship. He's planning to become next year through.

Thanks again!

Something just came to mind: can he still apply for the RTD? I don't think his status is considered a "refugee" anymore. Even though he was admitted to the U.S. as a refugee, he has been a legal permanent resident for almost 20 years. Sorry for all the stupid questions. I'm just trying to educate myself so I can help him. Thanks!

That was fast! Thanks, Harpa Timsah! To answer your question, no, he doesn't have a passport and he can't get a Thai passport either. They said he's not a "recognized" citizen. I like that answer more anyway (lol) since the RTD is half the cost of a RP! :/ Thanks again!

Hi everyone!

I posted a thread in this section (maybe a month ago?) about myself and some family members, cousins, and friends who will be taking a cruise aboard the Carnival Breeze in January to Grand Turk, La Romana Domincan Republic, Curacao, and Aruba. One of our group members is not a U.S. citizen. He came here as a refugee when he was a child. He is a legal permanent resident who holds a valid green card and driver's license. In seeking advice regarding travel document requirements, I was advised by a few people to get him a travel document (form I-131). My question is I'm not sure which he is supposed to apply for: re-entry permit ($445) or refugee travel document ($220)? What is the difference between the two? Which one should he get? If you ask me, I like the cheaper one! Lol. Thanks in advance!

-Julie

If he's held a green card for more than 5 years - it's best (IMO) to apply for USCitizenship, then get a USA Passport.

If he/she filed next week, would it arrive in time for the cruise? Most likely not, given current capacity and laq in queue.

I suggested that he gets naturalized and then get a passport but we only have a little over 5 months until the cruise so Idk if that's enough time.

Thank you for everyone's responses!!! I really appreciate them!

He can cruise with only his greencard as long as it is valid. The danger is if something were to happen in a foreign port he would need his passport to fly home. Lets say he become ill and is sent to the hospital off the ship in the DR. The ship will leave him there and he would need a passport to fly back to the USA. My wife and I have taken several cruises and she ONLY shows her greencard to the Cruise staff but we carry her Ukraine passport just in case. The ports have a special deal worked out with the cruise line and you do not need a visa if you are on a cruise. He will only be asked to show his ship ID card (given to you upon boarding the ship) to enter and exit the ships at foreign ports. Purchase travel insurance!!!

Thank you for your reply! This is reassuring! I've been going back and forth with immigration, border patrol, the cruise line, and the ports consulates...one place just points me to another! It's very frustrating! Ultimately, I was told by border patrol and Carnival that he will be okay to cruise but I have to call the consulate for each port of call and make sure they're okay with it. I've been told two different things by these consulates so I'm lost! One person told me he needs a passport...PERIOD. Another person told me he shouldn't need it because cruise passengers are considered "in transit" and they're in the countries for less than 24 hours. I wish these people would make it straightforward and clear! I will definitely be purchasing for this trip. Do you have any recommendations? And will they cover your trip if you were denied boarding?

Hi everyone!

I just found this forum today while doing some research. I need asisstance with an issue and I hope I'm posting it in the right section of the forum.

Anyway, my family along with a few relatives and friends will be going on a closed-loop cruise (leaving and coming back in Miami) on the Carnival Breeze in January 2014. One of our group is not a U.S. citizen and only has a green card and valid driver's license. He came here as a child with his family almost 20 years ago. They came as refugees so he doesn't have a passport from his birth country (Thailand). I contacted the Thai embassy to see if he could get a Thai passport but was told he couldn't get one because he's not a "real" Thai citizen. I've done hundreds of researches online and asked on various cruising forums if he will be okay to cruise but received many different responses. I even contacted all the consulates of the ports we will be visiting (Grand Turk, Domincan Republic, Curacao, and Aruba) with no luck. I've only received one reply from Curacao in which they just directed me back to their website for "additional" information. Has anyone cruised with just a green card and valid driver's license? Did you have any issues boarding? Getting on and off the ship at each port? From my past cruising experience, I have never been asked to show my ID or passport when getting on or off the ship. I've only been asked for my Sign and Sail card (a card Carnival issues to cruisers when they board). I spoke with three different Carnival vacation planners who all confirmed that he will be okay to board. However, I would feel much better hearing from experience.

Thank you,

Julie